With so many talented artists vying for a spot on the world stage, it is becoming increasing more difficult to find somebody doing things a little differently... Tom Richardson is that artist. An adventurous yet humble nomad, in the past 18 months alone, Tom has performed in 14 different countries across the globe. In an age where it’s all too easy for young musicians to be caught in the tide of ever changing trends, online overkill and pressures to be the “next big thing”, Tom has stepped into the side stream, appreciating the freedom of travel, exploration and the privilege of forging relationships with listeners and cultures around the world.
Tom uses the latest in loop pedal technology to create a wall of sound, overdubbing four part vocal harmonies, complicated percussion grooves and lead and rhythm guitar parts, all live on stage. While live looping may not be a new phenomenon, rather than focusing on laying down one continuous groove, Tom dances around the stage, using his feet to create different song sections, starting, stopping and layering various instruments as he goes.
Following a busy Australian summer of festivals, described as the “best opening to a festival yet!” (Port Fairy Folk Festival), Tom Richardson once again took his music to audiences around the world. Armed with his infectious personality and contagious melodies, Tom singlehandedly entertained audiences from major Canadian festivals, dozens of American and European bars, to highland village tribes in Fiji. Tom heads into 2014 with new solo looping show, a large swag of songs and a guitar case full of stories.
A captivating and interactive live performer, ‘Tom Richardson LIVE’ is set for release in Australia from January 2014, following successful international launch tours throughout the USA, Canada and Europe, working with independent producers and mangers in Los Angeles. The live DVD gives audiences a behind-the-scenes insight into the intricacy of Tom’s unique looping abilities.
Releasing his debut double album ‘Guide Your Ship’ in 2011 with his full band, the Tom Richardson Project, Tom collected numerous national songwriting and blues music awards, including Solo Performer of the Year and Best Debut Album at the Victorian Blues Music Awards, as well Best Emerging Artist awards at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Nannup Music Festival and Apollo Bay Music Festival. He was also fortunate enough to receive the highest number of nominations at the 2012 Australian Blues Music Awards and was a finalist in the Vanda & Young Songwriting competition, Australian Songwriting competition and APRA professional development awards.
While still in his early twenties, having already shared the stage with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Cold Chisel, The Waifs and You Am I, there are very few Australian festival stages on which Tom hasn’t performed. Often labelled “the talk of the festival”, past appearances include the Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, National Music Muster, Queenscliff Music Festival, Bridgetown Blues Festival, National Folk Festival and Blues On Broadbeach.
Combining his love of music, travelling and ocean culture, Tom also loves finding the time whilst travelling the world to empower ambitious, wheelchair bound youths through adaptive surfing and skating programs, through the organisations ‘Ocean Healing Group’ and ‘Sharing The Stoke’.
Tracks from each of Tom’s recordings have sparked the interest of radio DJs worldwide, including rotation and interviews on Triple Js ‘Roots N All’ program. Rip Curl surfing documentaries, ABC’s ‘Australian Story’ and many national television programs are also helping spread the word of an exciting artist, captivating both aural, and visual senses of audiences around the globe.